Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, has called for the District Council to extend the consultation response time for their Gypsies, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Consultation proposals.
Gavin is calling for the current deadline of the 24th November to be extended, in order for all residents in the area to be fully informed of what may happen if more pitches are established by the Council.
Gavin said: “The current deadline set out by the Council doesn’t give the residents of South Staffordshire enough time to have their say. I’m proposing that the Council give residents an extended period in which to directly contact them to give their opinion over these consultation proposals.
“The current proposals are based on an outdated definition of the term, which could soon become redundant. More time for the consultation would allow more people to be made fully aware of how additional pitches could affect them and their local area. A matter of this importance should not be rushed and every resident should be informed about how these decisions will affect them. Just assuming residents will hear about this isn’t good enough.
“As part of my campaign against these pitches, I have been carrying out a petition across affected areas. Given that we are now approaching the end of the six week consultation period, it is rather worrying that general awareness on this important issue is still relatively low. I hope that the Council gives more residents the chance to have their say and extends their deadline beyond Monday 24th November.”
Residents can respond to the Council’s proposals directly by visiting http://www2.sstaffs.gov.uk/consultation/Default.aspx and clicking on Gypsy, Traveller and Showpeople Consultation.